Orlando Pirates forward Kermit Erasmus offered teenager Relebohile Mofokeng some advice after his penalty miss against Jwaneng Galaxy.
Pirates were dumped out of the Champions League before the group stages as the 18-year-old saw his penalty saved in the 5-4 shootout defeat.
At the age of 33, Erasmus has been through it all over his impressive career that dates back to his professional breakthrough in 2007 with SuperSport United.
Spells in Netherlands, France, Sweden and Portugal followed as well as stints with Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns – and he was able to offer a sober perspective for the rising talent of the Buccaneers.
“Well it was for him to know that it won’t be his last penalty he misses, it’s not going to be the last time he’s in a critical moment where he can help us win or lose the game,” Erasmus said about the teenager.
“It’s about being brave and keep doing things you are capable of and putting yourself in those positions. Just being brave enough to execute it to the best of your ability you know.
“Yes [it is] unfortunate… but it’s good it comes early in his career so that he knows how to deal with it, he has his own way of dealing with setbacks.
“So hopefully it can motivate him and push him to even want more, achieve more and be brave enough to continue doing things, wanting to take penalties, wanting to be in goal-scoring situations. Who knows… he could be our saviour this weekend.”
Mofokeng and Erasmus will be aiming to feature for Pirates this weekend when they face off against Masandawana in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium (18h00).
